Munjong of Joseon

Munjong of Joseon
King of Joseon
Reign	May 18, 1450 - May 14, 1452
Born	October 3, 1414(1414-10-03)
Died	May 14, 1452(1452-05-14) (aged 37)
Place of death	Gyeongbokgung, Seoul
Predecessor	Sejong of Joseon
Successor	Danjong of Joseon
Consort	Queen Hyeondeok
Offspring	Danjong of Joseon
Royal House	House of Yi
Father	Sejong of Joseon
Mother	Queen Soheon

Munjong of Joseon
Hangul	문종
Hanja	文宗
Revised Romanization	Munjong
McCune–Reischauer	Munjong
Birth name
Hangul	이향
Hanja	李珦
Revised Romanization	I Hyang
McCune–Reischauer	I Hyang

King Munjong (1414–1452) was the fifth King of the Joseon Dynasty, who ruled Korea from 1450 to 1452. He was the eldest son of King Sejong the Great, and succeeded him in 1450, but died of disease two years later. He was succeeded by his son, Danjong of Joseon.

Most of Munjong's achievements were performed during his princely life. Although most people know it as Jang Yeong-sil to have invented the water gauge, the Annals of the Joseon Dynasty states that the Crown Prince was the one that found out measures of water levels in the ground. Also, during Sejong's late reign, it was Munjong who took care of state affairs, as Sejong developed various illnesses and disorders.

Family

• Father: King Sejong (세종)
• Mother: Queen Soheon of the Cheongsong Shim clan (소헌왕후 심씨, September 28, 1395-March 24, 1446)
• Consorts and their Respective Issue:

1. Royal Noble Consort Hwi^[1] of the Andong Kim clan (휘빈 김씨, 1410-1429)^[2][3] - No Issue.
2. Royal Noble Consort Sun of the Ha-eum Bong clan (순빈 봉씨, 1414-1436)^[4][5] - No Issue.
3. Queen Hyeondeok^[6][7] of the Andong Kwon clan (현덕왕후 권씨, 1418-1441)^[8]
   1. Yi Hong-wi, the Royal Prince Successor (이홍위 왕세자), Only Son^[9]
   2. An Unnamed Daughter^[10]
   3. Princess Gyeonghye (경혜공주, 1436-December 30, 1473), 2nd Daughter^[11]
4. Royal Noble Consort Suk of the Namyang Hong clan (숙빈 홍씨)
   1. An Unnamed Daughter
5. Yang Sa-chik (사칙 양씨)
   1. Princess Gyeongsook (경숙옹주, 1439-?)^[12]
   2. An Unnamed Daughter
6. Moon Suk-ui of the Nampyeong Moon clan (숙의 문씨, 1426-September 26, 1508) - No Issue.^[13][14]
7. Kwon So-yong (소용 권씨) - No Issue.
8. Jeong So-yeong (소용 정씨)
   1. An Unnamed Son
9. Yoon So-hoon (소훈 윤씨) - No Issue.
10. Yoo Seung-hwi (승휘 유씨) - No Issue.
11. Court Lady Jang (상궁 장씨)
    1. An Unnamed Son

His full posthumous name

• King Munjong Gongsun Heummyung Insuk Gwangmun Seonghyo the Great of Korea
• 문종공순흠명인숙광문성효대왕
• 文宗恭順欽明仁肅光文聖孝大王

References

1. ^ Given as a temple name upon her death in 1429
2. ^ Daughter of Kim Oh-mun (김오문), Lord Anjeong (안정공), Magistrate Pandon-ryeong (판돈령부사); and Lady Lee (이씨 부인). Granddaughter of Kim Gu-deok (김구덕). Niece of Royal Noble Consort Myeong (명빈 김씨), thru her relationship as Kim Oh-mun's elder sister
3. ^ First Princess Consort to the Royal Prince Successor, married in 1427. Formally separated in August 18, 1429, then later committed suicide
4. ^ Daughter of Bong Yeo (봉여), who killed her himself
5. ^ Second Princess Consort to the Royal Prince Successor, married in October 15, 1429. Formally separated in October 26, 1436 (instigated by Sejong himself), due to a series of scandals, involving her lie of her pregnancy, and her being caught in a lesbian act (sleeping with one of her palace maids) by Sejong himself, in 1435
6. ^ One of Munjong's former concubines; Seung-hwi rank. Became Lady Hyeondeok, the Princess Consort to the Royal Prince Successor (현덕빈) upon her marriage
7. ^ Was demoted in June 26, 1457, as Lady Hyeondeok, following her son's deposition and demotion as Deposed Prince Nosan (노산군) in June 21, 1457. Was posthumously restored back in March 12, 1513, and finally in July 15, 1699
8. ^ Daughter of Kwon Jeon (권전), Internal Prince Hwasan (화산부원군); and Lady Haeju, Princess Consort to the Internal Prince, of the Choi clan (해주부부인 최씨)
9. ^ Firstly ranked as "Royal Prince Successor Descendant" (왕세손), when Munjong was still "Royal Prince Successor" (왕세자) during Sejong's reign. Became the Royal Crown Prince when his father became King
10. ^ Eldest offspring
11. ^ Later married Jeong Jong (정종, ?-1461년), son of Jeong Chung-gyeong (정충경); created Military Officer Yeongyang (영양위)
12. ^ Later married (April 16, 1454) Kang Ja-sun (강자순), created Military Officer Banseong (반성위); which she later killed upon learning of his affair with Lee Gil-sang (이길상)'s daughter.
13. ^ Daughter of Moon Min-ji (문민지)
14. ^ Married in 1442

Preceded by Sejong the Great

Rulers of Korea (Joseon Dynasty) 1450–1452

Succeeded by Danjong

Persondata
Name	Munjong Of Joseon
Alternative names
Short description
Date of birth	October 3, 1414
Place of birth
Date of death	May 14, 1452
Place of death	Gyeongbokgung, Seoul